Making a Positive Start to 2018 on Wormwood Scrubs
Parkrunners turn out in force - and invite others to join them on Saturday mornings
We would like to start this report with a big congratulations and many thanks for his support to Wormwood Scrubs Parkrun good friend Rizwan RAUF of Thames Valley Harriers who has achieved the amazing record of 250 Parkruns (with 241 of them being with us here). His Green Parkrun achievement T-Shirt is in the post and hopefully will see him running around in it this week!
After the heavy rain of the previous two weeks and some extremely muddy Parkruns the 'Scrubs' this morning had firmed up a little with not much standing water in the way to prevent a good run and a nice turn-out of 75 participants. January is traditionally when the guilt of over-indulgence at Christmas kicks in and we all strive for a positive start and health kick to 2018 so keep up the good work and encourage your family and friends to join us Saturday mornings for the perfect way to start your weekend.
Our top finishers this week came from a few running clubs with Cosmo Craven, of Fulham RC, in 18:57. He was followed by Lucas Saulich, of Willesden Triathalon Club, in 19:34, and Sebastien Maillard, in 19:39. The first woman to cross the line was First Timer Albertine Pegrum, in 23:13, followed by Noushka Summerfield, in 26:02, and First Time Minty Martin in 26:19.
We also had 7 new PBs today: congratulations to Patrick Clahane, Stefan Salva, Esme Emerson, Laura Proctor, Kate Kimona, Louisa Guthrie, and Tania Moore.
We are very grateful to the volunteers who made this event happen: Marion BRYDSON, Fraser BRYDSON, Craig GUNN, Peter JORDAN, Ben LE ROUGETEL, Nick MICHAEL, Rizwan RAUF, Hayley SIVA, Catharine SOWERBY, Kirstie TEW, Paul WOODGATE
As you know, we rely on volunteers, so if you'd like to get involved in volunteering at the Wormwood Scrubs parkrun, please email wormwoodscrubshelpers@parkrun.com There are lots of volunteering opportunities in the coming weeks!
Don't forget that you can also donate to the Scrubs parkrun via the following link: http://www.parkrun.org.uk/wormwoodscrubs/aboutus/
Happy running and see you next week,
Craig
Parkrun 343 - Saturday 6 January
This was a first for my touring parkrun family- turning up to a parkrun just after 8.30 and no sign of hi- vis jackets anywhere. To say we were concerned it had been cancelled was an understatement. We checked the course page and the cancellation page, but yes we were in the right place and it was on. At around 8.40 we ventured from the car to find others starting to turn up. On locating Rob, our RD for the day, he cheerfully explained that Wormwood Scrubs generally runs with about 60 runners most of whom don't drive to the venue and the hi- vis jackets were soaking so unwearable. Ahh it all made sense now! We are so used to turning up to the larger events and a sea of colour through running outfits and hi- vis are before us.
So .... runners donned gloves and hats for a chilly, but not as cold as it has been jaunt around Wormwood Scrubs Park this morning.
Thank you to Rob, our RD for the runner's briefing where new runners were warmly welcomed and introduced to the course layout. (2 and a bit laps of The Scrubs affording us views apparently when the weather is more clement of The Post Office Tower). These guys are on the start of their parkrun journey and are now working towards their first milestones. The trick is when working towards your milestones is #DFYB- Don't Forget Your Barcode! .... of you were listed as unknown runners this morning. That's one run less to count towards those milestone Tshirts. We met up with One of your regulars who explained she had actually run 100 of her total runs overall at The Scrubs. That's the great thing about parkrun isn't it, that each person has their own individual journey to talk and share about? Tourists had travelled from as far as Banbury, Havant (Portsmouth) and even Australia!
A big thank you as always to the volunteers who gave up their mornings to ensure that we were able to run this morning. Don't forget if you are unable to run, have a race coming up or are just generally a good egg, then volunteering is a great way to give back to the parkrun community. Head over to the Wormwood Scrubs webpage for details of the next few weeks roster and sign up for a position that suits you- you get to wear a hi- vis jacket! -what more incentive do you need?
The parkrun fairies worked hard in ensuring conditions were 'just right' for running. I even heard complaints that the all too familiar mud over in the back straight wasn't even out yet in much force. I'm sure it is coming, so don't get complacent quite yet!
One of the essential parts of parkrun is the apres parkrun and at The Scrubs we met at The Thames Valley Harriers Clubhouse just a stroll through the car park away. A cosy hideaway where the prestigious names of past and present Harriers were proudly displayed including Olympians and world champions. On speaking to one of your regulars, the club has reaped the benefits of a parkrun right on its doorstep, as now more of us are joining them and especially the next generation are encouraged to try their hand (or foot!) on the track.
Lola, a parkrun dog, and her other hairy friend were welcomed in too and enjoyed hoovering up the crumbs of delicious flapjack that were devoured by us hungry runners.
Thank you again Wormwood Scrubs parkrun for starting our weekend off on a positive note. Look forward to seeing you all soon.
Karen Cole
